Supreme Court Limits Bail Stay Orders to Exceptional Circumstances

The Supreme Court emphasized that staying bail orders should be reserved for exceptional cases while overturning the Delhi High Court's order to stay bail for Parvinder Singh Khurana, accused in a money laundering case. The apex court restored Khurana's bail, urging lower courts to avoid mechanically staying bail without just cause.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asserted that courts should only stay bail orders under exceptional circumstances.

A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih made this statement while overturning a Delhi High Court order that stayed the bail of an accused in a money laundering case.

'Though the court may have the power to grant stay on bail, it must be done only in exceptional circumstances,' the bench emphasized.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had indicated that courts should refrain from mechanically staying bail orders without providing adequate reasons.

This judgment came in response to a plea by Parvinder Singh Khurana, who is accused in a money laundering case and had his bail temporarily stayed by the Delhi High Court. Khurana was granted bail by the trial court on June 17 last year, but the High Court stayed the order. The apex court on June 7 stayed the High Court's order, thereby restoring Khurana's bail.

(With inputs from agencies.)